Relief

ARTICLES ABOUT RELIEF BY DATE - PAGE 5

Feb 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. government must continue to offer assistance to consumers facing spikes in propane prices this winter, a bipartisan coalition of Senators said on Friday. The lawmakers asked President Barack Obama to direct agencies to use their authority to mitigate the impact of a domestic propane shortage and to review all options to help facilitate propane deliveries to affected areas. (Reporting by Ros Krasny. Editing by Andre Grenon)

By Rory Carroll SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 4 (Reuters) - California's senate leader is preparing a $644 million emergency drought relief bill designed to quickly fund shovel-ready projects to combat the state's severe water shortage, according to a draft of the bill. The wide-ranging effort would fast-track water supply projects, speed up funding for expanded use of recycled water and stormwater capture projects, and better monitor and manage groundwater resources. California is facing its worst drought in decades.

DUBAI, Feb 3 (Reuters) - A first tranche of $550 million in sanctions relief agreed under an interim nuclear deal has been paid into an Iranian Central Bank account in Switzerland, the official IRNA news agency said on Monday. Quoting an informed source, the agency reported: "$550 million in frozen Iranian assets (were) transferred to Iran's Central Bank account in Switzerland. The agency said the money was a first instalment of $4.2 billion in blocked Iranian oil revenue that is to be made available to Iran under the Nov. 24 deal.

By Liz Weston LOS ANGELES, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Student loan borrowers who feel trapped by high-rate private loans finally have more options to refinance their debt, but not everyone will be able to find relief. In January, Citizens Bank became the latest to offer private consolidation loans that provide lower and sometimes fixed rates to borrowers with good credit or creditworthy co-signers. It joins a handful of banks, credit unions and a few online crowdfunding experiments like SoFi and Commonbond attracted by low default rates and relatively little big-bank competition.

The Sports Xchange EditorsNote: updates with contract information Royals retain LHP Chen The Kansas City Royals and left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen agreed on a one-year contract Thursday. Chen will receive $3.25 million this season with a mutual option for $5.5 million in 2015 with a $1 million buyout. The deal, which includes additional performance bonuses, will be finalized when Chen passes a physical. Chen, who became a free agent after last season, has spent the last five years with the Royals, going 45-39 with a 4.32 ERA. He has won 10-plus games in three of the last four seasons.

(Changes day of week in paragraph 13) By David Beasley ATLANTA, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Warmer weather was poised to roll over the U.S. South, bringing relief after an ice storm which paralyzed much of the region, stranding motorists, blocking highways and leading to at least seven deaths. "Certainly, the worst is over," said National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Corfidi. "Today - from a combination of sun, moderating temperatures, and dry air - some of the ice will just evaporate.

LONDON -- The U.K.'s tax relief for high-end television delivered more than Â£233 million ($384 million) to the local economy in its first nine months, according to figures released by the British Film Institute Thursday. The film tax relief continues to help attract international filmmakers to the U.K., with inward investment reaching Â£868 million ($1.43 billion), generated by 37 feature films, making up 81% of all feature film spend in the U.K., which totaled more than Â£1 billion ($1.65 billion)